The F2A Visa is known as one of the visa types that fall under the Family Second Preference Category. It benefits foreigners as it is accessible to unmarried children under 21 years of age and spouses of lawful permanent residents. With this visa on hand, eligible immediate relatives can also benefit from obtaining a U.S. green card.
Beneficiaries can study and work in the U.S. with a lawful permanent resident status. The F2A visa is under the same category as the F2B visa Preference Relative Green Cards, but these two visas should not be confused. The F2B is exclusive for unmarried children of US permanent residents who are 21 years or older.
F2A visas generally have a high number of applicants even though it has a limited number of slots per year. For this reason, the visa has a relatively long waiting time. Nevertheless, the quota is seventy percent for F2A applicants and thirty percent for F2B applicants. Therefore, F2B petitions have a longer waiting time than the F2A.
What Makes You Eligible for an F2A Visa?
To become eligible for an F2A Visa, you must be the spouse or unmarried child under 21 years of age of a U.S. lawful permanent resident. You must be able to show that you have a qualifying family relationship with the permanent resident to qualify. Unmarried children up to 21 and above can apply for an F2B visa.
Both the petitioner(sponsor) and the beneficiary of an F2A visa must meet certain eligibility requirements. The US permanent resident family member petitioning on your behalf must be over 18 years as they will be signing consent forms and must be living in the U.S. at the registered address.
Additionally, the sponsor must demonstrate that they are financially capable of taking care of the immediate relative(s) they will be sponsoring on the green card application. Their salary must be at least one hundred twenty-five percent of the US Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Note that as a foreign national if you are already in the U.S. with a nonimmigrant visa you and your sponsor are expected to meet the F2A application requirements before adjusting status to a permanent resident.
Required Supporting Documents for an F2A
When filing an F2A visa application you must submit a list of supporting documents along with any other pieces of evidence that may be important to your case. When completing the application make sure that you have an immigration attorney help you this way it is done correctly.
The F2A Application Process
Family preference visa applications require that the petitioning relative (lawful permanent resident) files a petition on behalf of the applicant. Once approved, the visa holder can then apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their respective home country of residence. If the beneficiary is already living in the U.S. they can adjust status. For more information on the application process consult with an immigration law representative.
See Your Local Attorney
Going through the process of an F2A visa can be time consuming and rather challenging. We at Gambacorta Law Office pride ourselves in helping our clients and ensuring that they are satisfied with our services. Call us today for a consultation at 1-847-786-2599.